John Cena faces The Rock at Wrestlemania 29: Will it be repeat or redemption?

Falling to Duane "The Rock” Johnson at WrestleMania last year was no easy pill to swallow for the WWE’s John Cena, who says he has no intentions of hitting "Rock" bottom again this year at Wrestlemania 29 in the Meadowlands. Sunday night at MetLife Stadium, Cena says, is his chance for “redemption.”

“Everyone is asking me, because I lost to The Rock in his hometown, if I have any predictions for this Sunday,” said Cena. “This Sunday, I certainly predict some surprises, some magic moments and for all to be entertained.”

Last year, the two wrestling icons squared off in what was expected to be a “once in a lifetime” matchup in The Rock’s hometown of Miami, Florida. It was The Rock’s first singles matchup in years, and both he and Cena dazzled a capacity crowd of over 70,000, not to mention the television audience. After a series of close calls, with both combatants executing their patented finishing maneuvers, The Rock ultimately came out on top.

Johnson notes the respect the two wrestlers have for one another as a driving force behind this year’s rematch in the Meadowlands.

“The best part about this Sunday is, in order to electrify, as I like to say, in order to lay the smack down on candy asses [and] things like that, you need a partner, you need an opponent,” said Johnson. “As much as we’ve had our differences in the past that have been real differences, there is no better of an opponent for me than John Cena. No one comes close.”

Cena cited the significance of the New Jersey and New York eclectic audience, and the role it can play in a wrestling event like WrestleMania 29.

“I’m truly excited to be in the center of entertainment, the center of the world, surrounded by media everywhere, surrounded by attention, surrounded by attention we feel we deserve,” Cena said. “We have the best product that people can come to see. We have the best show that everyone will enjoy.”

For The Rock, the return to New Jersey is extra special; the successful action movie star who was known to WWE fans as “the people’s champion” will return wearing the WWE Title around his waist.

“For it to come full circle, and for me to come back at this point in my career and again become WWE Champion, and give back to a business that I love, and give back to a business that I wouldn’t be the way that I am today without, means so much to me,” said Johnson. “So there’s a really cool, deep-rooted connection that I have with not only this business, but this event.”

Bobby Repsha, 20, a New Jersey-native, is an exuberant fan.

“You can't help but get goosebumps when his entrance music hits, because you know it's going to be an amazing match,” said Repsha. “[I’ve watched] since he has been back, and I get the same feeling I have gotten since I started watching him perform.”

Both Cena and The Rock are known high-octane performances. When asked how the pair would top last year’s action, Cena had this to say:

“We go out and put on a better show for our consumers,” said Cena.

There’s no consensus among WWE stars or the fans as to what the outcome of the big match will be, and who walk out with the prestigious WWE Title.

“I am expecting The Rock to be victorious again,” said Nick Campione, another avid fan. “The match will be a hard fought one…but ultimately, Rock wins.”

WWE wrestler The Big Show, who has been in the ring with both men, disagrees.

“I don’t see Cena failing twice. I know the kid too well. I just don’t see it happening,” he said.

Whether it’s ultimately repeat or redemption, the fate of the WWE Championship will be decided on Sunday April 7th at MetLife Stadium.